Box-headed Blood-bee - Sphecodes monilicornis

One of three medium-sized to large Sphecodes (Blood-bees), in which females have punctures (rather than just rugosity) behind the ocelli.  Males are one of a number of species with somewhat compressed and shiny antennal flagellar segments and are best confirmed using genitalia.

S. monilicornis is easily separated from the other two (S. gibbus and S. reticulatus) by the box-shaped head when seen in top view, with the hind corners well formed. The hairs of the hind tibiae are also whitish rather than dark like the other two, and the pygidium is broader.

Wherever the hosts are found.

Females fly from late March to mid-September. Males from July to September.

Cleptoparasite of several species of ground nesting bee including Lasioglossum calceatum, albipes and malachurum.

Widespread and locally common in the southern half of Britain with records extending north to Scotland.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.